Finance & Accounting Manager

Finance & Accounting Manager – Client Advisory & Project Delivery

Employment Type: Contract / Project-Based
Location: Toronto, Ontario / Hybrid / Remote, depending on assignment requirements

About the Opportunity

Our client, an established CPA firm, provides outsourced finance, accounting, and advisory services to a diverse portfolio of organizations across multiple industries.

They are seeking experienced finance and accounting professionals to support a range of client engagements and project-based assignments. These engagements may involve managing outsourced finance functions, overseeing accounting operations, leading post-acquisition integration activities, delivering budgeting and forecasting support, or undertaking financial analysis and process improvement initiatives.

Depending on the engagement, the role may involve hands-on accounting and financial management responsibilities or a greater focus on project leadership, stakeholder coordination, financial planning and analysis, and finance transformation.

This opportunity is suited to experienced professionals who can adapt quickly to different client environments, take ownership of deliverables, and provide effective financial and operational support across a variety of assignments.

Potential Project Responsibilities

Responsibilities will vary depending on the client engagement, project scope, and individual expertise. Potential assignments may include:

1. Accounting Management & Financial Reporting

• Manage, oversee, or execute general ledger accounting, journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close activities.
• Oversee core accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense accounting, bank reconciliations, and payroll-related accounting entries.
• Review trial balances, financial statements, balance sheet schedules, and management reporting packages.
• Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial records and reporting.
• Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies, identify control gaps, and recommend improvements to accounting procedures.
• Establish or strengthen financial controls, accounting policies, and reporting processes.

2. Post-Acquisition Integration & Finance Transformation

• Lead or support the integration of newly acquired businesses into existing finance and accounting functions.
• Coordinate with previous accounting providers, internal finance teams, and external stakeholders to obtain historical financial records and resolve outstanding accounting matters.
• Oversee account mapping, opening balance validation, historical data migration, and financial reconciliations.
• Assess existing accounting practices and establish standardized accounting procedures, reporting frameworks, and month-end close processes.
• Develop project plans, establish timelines, monitor deliverables, and proactively address integration risks and dependencies.
• Support the transition towards consolidated financial reporting and streamlined finance operations.

3. Financial Planning, Analysis & Business Support

• Lead or support annual budgeting, periodic forecasting, rolling forecasts, and financial planning exercises.
• Develop financial models, perform scenario analysis, and assess business performance, profitability, and cost structures.
• Conduct budget-to-actual comparisons, variance analysis, and financial trend assessments.
• Prepare management reporting packages, KPI dashboards, and financial performance summaries.
• Collaborate with client management to interpret financial results, identify opportunities and risks, and support informed business decisions.
• Translate financial information into meaningful insights and actionable recommendations for management.

4. Outsourced Finance, Advisory & Special Projects

• Manage or support ongoing outsourced finance and accounting functions for clients across different industries.
• Evaluate existing finance and accounting processes and recommend improvements to operational efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.
• Support accounting software and ERP implementation, system transitions, and finance transformation initiatives.
• Assist with financial due diligence, audit preparation, internal control assessments, and other financial review assignments, where relevant to the engagement and professional qualifications.
• Provide finance-related project support to senior management, business owners, and client leadership teams.
• Take ownership of assigned workstreams and ensure deliverables are completed within agreed timelines and quality expectations.

Qualifications & Experience

• 6+ years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, financial reporting, or financial advisory roles.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and hands-on experience with financial reporting, general ledger management, and month-end close processes.
• Experience managing accounting functions, client engagements, finance transitions, or complex financial projects.
• Exposure to budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, FP&A, and management reporting.
• Experience supporting accounting integrations, business acquisitions, finance transformation, or process improvement initiatives is an asset.
• Proficiency with accounting systems, ERP platforms, and Microsoft Excel; experience with multiple accounting platforms is an advantage.
• Strong project management, organizational, and stakeholder coordination capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with clients and senior management.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver results in dynamic client environments.
• CPA designation or an equivalent professional accounting qualification is preferred.

Engagement Model & Flexibility

These are contract and project-based opportunities with our client, offering exposure to a diverse portfolio of organizations, industries, and finance-related engagements.

Contract terms may vary depending on the specific assignment, including project scope, duration, expected working hours, work arrangements, and compensation.

Some engagements may involve defined project deliverables over a specific period, while others may require ongoing support for outsourced finance and accounting functions. Work availability and the potential for subsequent assignments will depend on client demand and individual suitability. Continuous or consecutive assignments are not guaranteed.

The specific responsibilities, deliverables, timelines, hourly rate, work arrangements, and availability expectations will be discussed and agreed upon before each engagement begins.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a versatile finance professional who combines strong technical accounting capabilities with practical financial management, analytical, and project delivery experience.

You should be comfortable moving between operational accounting responsibilities, financial reporting, integration projects, and financial advisory assignments. Equally important is the ability to understand client expectations, take ownership of deliverables, coordinate with multiple stakeholders, and adapt to different organizational structures and business requirements.

We are particularly interested in professionals who demonstrate initiative, accountability, sound professional judgment, and the ability to deliver quality work across varying client engagements.